Water ski tow



Dec. 22, 1959 D v, TQRBETT ET AL 2,918,280

WATER SKI TOW Filed June 14, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOHSQ ATTORNEYS Dec. 22, 1959 D. v. TORBETT ET AL 2,918,280

WATER SKI TOW Shell@ 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 P/n'zz 2?.

Filed June 14, 1957 ATTORNEYS D. V. TORBETT ETAL Dec. 22, 1959 WATER SKI TOW Filed `June 14, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 5,

ATTORNEYS D. v. TORBETT ETAL 2,918,280

Dec.4 22, 1959 WATER SKI TOW 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 14, 1957 a .w @EN M Nm. .SJ Y", HHHHHVIIIIH. llllllrfllllllllhllHH K United States Patent 'thee 2,918,280 Patented Dec. 22, 1959 WATER SKI TOWV Donald V. Torbett, Murfreesboro, and Phillip R. Shelley, Nashville, Tenn.

Application June 14, 1957, Serial No. 665,714

1 Claim. (Cl. 272-32) This invention relates to a water ski tow, and more particularly to a complete water Iski tow assembly, including a tethered tow boat, a source of power for driving the boat, a source of power control, preferably shore based, and a tethered access float for the Water skier.

A primary object of this invention is the provisionof a complete water ski tow assembly adapted -for permanent or temporary installation, which is completely self sucient, and which obviates the necessity of the pur? chase or hiring of additional tow boats.

A further object of this invention is the provision of such an assembly which includes an electrically driven tow boat, to which current is supplied from a shore based source.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of such an assembly which may be readily and conveniently located in a body of water of limited size, and wherein -all the pleasure and benefit of water skiing may be accomplished in a relatively limited water area.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of an assembly of this nature which may be con veniently operated by a single operator, who controls not only the speed of the tow boat, but such rental arrangements as may be necessary, as well as the conveying of water skiers to and from the towing boat assembly.

A further object of the invention is the provisionot an assembly of this nature wherein all of the controls are located in a position to be easily accessible to an operator without the necessity of his leaving the control booth.

Still `another object of this invention is the provision of an arrangement of parts of this nature which may be readily assembled and disassembled for transportation from one location to another, in accordance with seasonal conditions or for other purposes.

A` further important object of this invention is the provision of a relatively compact inexpensive ski tow assembly which may be positioned in any commercially acceptable location,` even on small bodies of water, thus rendering the pleasures of ski towing available to a `relatively large number of people who would not otherwise be able to obtain such facilities. y

Additional objects of the invention reside in the provision of improved power take off means for a tethered electrically driven boat, and means whereby a single source of power actuates all of the powered components of the assembly.

Still other objects reside in the arrangements of parts, combinations of elements, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter, and shown in the accompanying drawings` wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive con-` cept. l l

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevational View of the complete assembly shown in relation to a vlake or stream or the like.

Figure l2. is a top plan view of the assembly of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a side View, partially in elevation and partially in section disclosing the control booth and the float, together with a portion of the connections to the other elements of the assembly.

Figure 3a is a continuation of Figure 3, showing other elements of the assembly and their associated connections Figure 4 is a topplan view partially in section, showing details rof the control booth arrangement.

Figure 5 is a side view partially in section and partially in elevation of the tow boat comprising an element of the invention.

Figure` 6 is a top plan view of the tow boat disclosed in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional v-iew through the power `connection of the tethered tow boat to the central pile or iioat.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-8 of Figure 7 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along the -line 9 9 of Figure 7 as viewed in the direct-ion indicated by the arrows.

Figure l0 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 10--10 of Figure 7 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure ll is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 11-11 of Figure 7 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Similar` reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, and more` particularly to Figures l and 2, there is generally indicated at 20 a control booth` or the like, adapted to be positioned adjacent the shore of a body of water, such as a pond, lake or stream, and provided with a dock 2.1. An access lloat 22 is connected as by a cable 23 to the dock, `and is adapted to be moved toward and away from a central securing post 24, by means of mechanism to be described more fully hereinafter. The control post 24 is provided with a rotatable arm 25 to which is attached a tow line 26, supported by means of suitable ioats 27, and connected to a tow boat 28. The boat has attached thereto one or more tow lines 29, terminating in a tow bar 39, which tow bars are adapted to be grasped by water skiers, the latter being schematically indicated in Figure 2 and designated at F. When the rotatable arm 25, is rotated in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter, by actuation of the boat `28, also in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter, the boat follows a circular path indicated by the dotted line 31, while the skiers follow a path or paths indicated by :thedotted lines designated SP.

Having reference now particularlyto Figures 3 and 4 the control booth Ztlrnay be a building of any desired size or configuration provided with an access door 40, and mounted, as desired on a solid foundation 41. Suit* able windows or other openings (not shown) may be provided as desired.

Power leads 42 bring electric power to the booth 20 from any desired source of electrical power, and lead to a control panel 43. The panel 43 carries a continuous variable type rheostat 44, of conventional design, which is operable by an operating handle or switch 45. Power lines 42 communicate with rheostat 44 and then extend through a suitable opening 46 in the lloor of control booth 20 `through the earth of the shore bank and along the shore of the body of water, as indicated at 47 (see Fig. 3).

The panel 43 also carries a reversing switch 48, to

which power is supplied by lines 42, and from switch 48 power lines 49 extend to a reversible motor 50 for the operation of a cable drum 51. The cable 23 is wound around drum 51, and extends under` a pulley 52 Vcarried by the underside of dock 21 .to a suitable eye 53 carried by access float 22,. The other end 23a of cable 23 extends over a pulley 54 positioned adjacent the base of dock 21 and beneath a pulley 55 embedded, as by means of a stake 56 a substantial distance below the surface of the lake in the lake bank.

As best shown in Figure 3a the cable 23a extends to and over a pulley 57 which is mounted on a suitable ring 58 preferably carried by a pile 59, which supports the tether post 24, as will be more fully described hereinafter. The returning portion 23b of the cable extends to a depending arm 60 carried by theunder side of float 22, well below the surface of the water. It will thus be seen that when the drum 51 is actuated through switch 48 for rotation in one direction, the access float 22 will be pulled toward dock 21, and when the switch is thrown to rotate the drum in the opposite direction the float 22 will be pulled outwardly toward the pile 59, in a position to locate the water skiers in a point adjacent the path of travel of tow boat 28.

As best shown in Figure 3a the power cable 47 leads along the bottom of the body of water through a suitable aperture in the side of pile 59, which, as best shown in Figure 7 is preferably of tubular construction, and thence upwardly through an aperture 61 in a plate 62 secured to the top of pile 59. The outer periphery of .the top of pile 59 is threaded as at 63 to accommodate the corresponding internal threads of a vertical flange 64 of a clamping member generally indicated at 65, which also includes a horizontally disposed apertured flange 66. The plate 62 is of greater diameter than .that of pile 59,'and corresponds in diameter to the diameter of flange 66. The plate 62 is also provided with an upwardly extending vertical flange 67, internally threaded to engage corresponding external threads 68 carried by the lower extremity of post 24. The outer periphery of plate 62 is also provided with openings adapted to be registered with the openings in flange 66, and suitable securing bolts 69 and clamping nuts 70 serve to clamp plate 62, and consequently post 24 in fixed relation relative to pile 59.

The post 24 is comprised of an upper section 24a and a lower section 24b, which have their lower and upper sections respectively threaded externally as indicated at 71 and 72, and have interposed therebetween a sealing gasket 73. An external sleeve 74, internally threaded, engages the threads 71 and 72 clampingly to hold the parts in related assembly.

The sealing gasket 73 has a central aperture therein through which projects the lower end of a tubular pipe 75, to the upper end of which is secured as by welding 76 a closure cap 77. The closure cap 77 is provided with an internally threaded depending flange 78, which is adapted to engage external threads on the upper end of section 24a.

An inner tubular member 80 is mounted Within pipe 75, and carries a collar 81 including a depending vertical flange 82 spaced outwardly from the wall thereof, which is adapted to overlie the upper end of pipe 75. A suitable sealing gasket 83 or bushing may be interposed between pipe 75 and tube or tubular member 80, to facilitate the rotation of tube 80, as well as Ito seal the interior of member 24 against water. The collar 81 may be se cured to tube 80 in any desired manner, as by welding as indicated at 84.

The collar 81 and its tlange 82 serve to prevent the 4 Y as by means of a suitable cotter pin S6 or the like extended through suitable apertures in tube 80.

The extended portion of tube 80 has positioned thereon an annular insulating ring 87, provided with a plurality of peripheral grooves 88, each of which contains a metallic contact strip 89. Each contact strip 89 is provided with a contact bolt 90, which places the associated strip in association with one of a plurality of electrical contact wires 91, which extend into an electrical conduit 92, which extends upwardly into and through the tube 80. Each contact ring 89' is adapted to brush against a resilient contact arm 93, which is mounted on an insulating plate 94, carried by the interior of section 24b, each resilient arm being connected to a lead wire 95, which extends from the electrical conduit 47. Thus it will be seen that continuous electrical association is maintained bev tween the wires and conduit 47 and the wire and conduit 92 during the rotation of tube 80, as will be described tubular member from dropping too far interiorly of post 24, and the lower end of tube 80 extends well below the lower end of pipe 75. A sealing gasket extends about the outer periphery of tube 80 immediately adjacent the lower end of pipe 75, and is held in position hereinafter.

The upper protruding end of tube 80 is closed, as by a closure cap 95, and provided with an aperture 96 below cap which opens into rotatable arm 25, which, as best shown in Figure 7 is of tubular construction. The conduit 92 extends through the opening 96, and thence outwardly through an opening 97 in the end of arm 25. The arm 25 is also provided with an opening 98, in which is adapted to be secured the ltow cable 26.

It will thus be seen that as the tow boat 28 is driven through the water, the arm 25 is rotated, while a continuous electrical connection is maintained between the conduit 47 and the conduit 92, The conduit or power line 92 extends to an inlet box 99 mounted on an electrical motor 100 carried within the hull of tow boat 28, the conduit being supported by float 27, as is tow cable 26. 'Die tow boat 28 may be of any desired conventional design, of sutiicent size and power to tow one or more water skiers, and ornamented and lined in any desired manner to produce the desired result. The electric motor 100 drives through a shaft 101,a pulley 102, which in turn drives a belt 103, which, if desired, maybe of V belt type, and in turn drives a pulley 104. The pulley 104 is mounted on one end of a propeller shaft 105 which extends through a suitable fitting 106 to the exterior underside of the boat, to drive a propeller 107. Suitable eyes 108 are positioned at spaced intervals along the gunnel of the boat, to accommodate the divided ends 109 of tow cable 26 (see Figs. l and 6). Suitable eyes 110 attached to the stern of tow boat 28 are adapted for the connection of towing cables 29 which extend to tow bars 30.

From the foregoing the use and operation of the ski tow assembly should now be readily understandable. When it is desired to use the ski tow the access oat 22 is positioned at the dock 21, and boarded by the perspective water skier. The operator then actuates switch 38 to rotate the drum 51 in a direction to move cable 23b, and hence iloat 22 outwardly into a position in align ment with the path of movement of tow boat 28, as defined by tow cable 26, it being understood that the length of the tow cable may be suitably varied in accordance with conditions. Through rheostat 45 boat 28 is n moved by the energization of motor 100 through power conduits 47 and 92 into a position adjacent the iloat 22, whereupon the skier picks up a floating tow bar 30 and assumes a suitable position in alignment with the boat Vfor towing. The operator then energizes the motor 100 to move the boat to take up any slack in tow cable 29 and pull the water skier ofr the float at a desired degree of speed to afford support from the water skis. The tow boat 28 is then electrically driven in the circular path. at a speed governed by the rheostat control 45, for a desired length of time, at which time the skier may either release tow bar 30 and free glide to shore, or swim in as desired, or alternatively float 22 may again be moved outwardly in position for reboarding. It is to be noted that the oat 22 is retracted to the dock 21 during the rst circle of rotation of the tow boat 28 in order to be out of the path SP of the skiers. Similarly cables 23a and 23b are located sufficiently below the water, as is power conduit 47, as not to interfere with the free passage of the tow boat 28, or the following skiers.

From the foregoing it will be seen that there is herein provided an improved ski tow assembly, which is simple and inexpensive to assemble, manufacture and utilize, which may be employed in a wide variety of situations, and is adaptable for use in a relatively limited water area, and which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein before shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What we claim is:

In a water ski tow, a control booth adapted to be 1ocated on the shore of a body of water, a source of electric power in communication with said booth, a central tether post located in said body of water at a point spaced from said shore, a revoluble member carried by said post, a water ski tow boat, a tether cable extending between said revoluble member and said boat, an electric motor in said boat, a first electric conduit extending from said revoluble member to said motor, a second electric conduit extending from said post to said control booth and connecting with said source of electric power, an electric slip ring assembly electrically communicating said first and second electric conduits, a control rheostat, for controlling the power to said boat, in said control booth, oats supporting said tow cable and said rst electric conduit above the surface of the water, said second electric conduit being on the bottom of said body of water, said tether post mounted on a pile driven into the bed of said body of water, said control booth having a dock ad jacent said shore, an access oat for said tow boat, and electrically controlled means for moving said access oat between said dock and said tow boat, said last mentioned means including a reversible drum in said control station, a cable wound on said drum extending over a pulley beneath the surface of the water adjacent to said drum from said drum to the shore side of said iioat, the other end of said cable extending over a pulley fixed beneath the surface of the water to said tether post to the other side of said float, and means for controlling the direc tion of revolution of said drum.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 102,878 Street May 10, 1870 1,569,910 Bohannon Ian. 19, 1926 FOREIGN PATENTS 945,913 Germany July 19, 1956 

